Christophe Berra will clock up a milestone 200 games for Hearts when he runs out against Livingston tonight - and admits hitting that number is beyond his wildest dreams.

The Jambos skipper remembers being a bag of nerves the day Elvis got all shook up and withdrew from the team due to illness and Craig Levein handed him his first ever start against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park back in 2004.

The Scotland defender said: "I didn’t know I was approaching that (200 games) until the other day.

"I’m proud to have represented the club for so many games, especially when I was away for eight-and-a-half years as well.

(Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

"Hopefully I have many more appearances ahead of me.

"I come from Edinburgh, it’s a wonderful city to live in and it’s special that there is a massive club in it where I have started my career and will hopefully finish it.

"When you are just starting out, you never really think about landmarks like that.

"You are just concentrating on playing every game and doing well.

"I got my move down south and was away for a long time so to come back up the road and reach 200 is quite a good achievement.

"My first start came when Steven Pressley was ill and I remember being told on the morning of the match that I was playing.

"I was nervous, which is only natural. Thankfully I didn’t get told until the day of the Kilmarnock game that I was playing.

"It was probably a benefit that I didn’t find out the night before - as a defender, you don’t want to make a mistake."

Levein initially brought Berra to Hearts as a teenager in 2002. The 33 year-old insists that he hasn't stopped learning from the Jambos gaffer ever since.

The powerful centre-back went on to establish himself in the first-team, before leaving in 2009 to kick off an eight-year stint in the English game with Wolves and then Ipswich.

He was also schooled in the art of defending by both Pressley and Andy Webster who formed a formidable rearguard partnership for Hearts at the time.

Christophe Berra was unhappy with Kyle Lafferty (Image: SNS)

It is the same valuable football and life lessons that have stood Berra in good stead throughout his career. Now the elder statesman of the Jambos side is able to pass on the benefit of his own knowledge, wisdom and experience on to the likes of John Souttar and Jimmy Dunne.

Berra said: "The gaffer was the manager back then when I was coming through the youth team and he had a huge part in me playing at Hearts and becoming the defender I am.

"I learned a lot back in those days, just from training and getting advice from the guys that were here at that time.

"I owe a lot to them and gave me a platform to go on in my career.

"I’ve picked up a lot from various managers in the past and as you go along, especially as a defender, you learn through experience and mistakes.

Christophe Berra (Image: SNS)

"I’ll sometimes give bits and pieces of advice now and it’s down to the individuals regarding whether they want to take it, but al the young players here are very receptive to advice and appreciate it."

Despite recently returning from a long-term hamstring injury Berra has no intention of slowing down.

Having played three games in the space of six days last week he is relishing the prospect of another gruelling and physical battle against Gary Holt's Lions at the Tony Macaroni arena.

Berra said: "Livingston have had an incredible season so far, they are hard to beat, don’t concede many goals and have a habit of nicking them as well.

"A lot of Livi's goals have come from set-pieces and that is a good attribute to have. We’re going to have to defend for our lives.

"Livingston drew with Celtic and beat Rangers and Hibs. It’s a very tough place to go, one of the toughest in the league.

(Image: SNS)

"We will go there and respect them but not fear them.

"We’ll try to nullify their threats and make sure we’re a danger to them.

"I like a physical battle – so do most people.

"We know we might take some knocks and bruises and you have to put your head on the line.

"That’s part and parcel of being a defender.

"I have just played three games in six days which wasn’t planned.

"At first people were asking if I’d be alright with the Rangers game then I played the 90 minutes against St Johnstone and Motherwell.

"I’ve come through with no ill effects but there is still work to be done to strengthen my hamstrings."

Can Berra see himself playing 300 games for Hearts? He said: "If I stay fit and injury free.